Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff's ICE joke was delivered at a difficult time for his company

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Marc Benioff's joke didn't just fail to land. It exploded on impact.

The Salesforce CEO's attempt at an ICE-related quip has employees up in arms, and comes as the company is already dealing with plenty of tension over its future, BI's Ashley Stewart writes.

During Salesforce's employee-only "Company Kickoff" this week, Benioff asked those who traveled from outside the US to stand up before suggesting ICE agents were waiting for them in the back, employees who heard the comments said.

The internal reaction was swift and negative, with some fellow executives distancing themselves from the comments. Benioff has remained silent on the issue.

In a vacuum, the joke comes off as in poor taste. But consider that it happened as Salesforce's stock has dropped 45% in the past year. The company also sits at the center of an industry — software sales — that's been the focus of the latest AI-driven bloodbath.

Benioff's comments also reflect a noticeable shift from the CEO.

Like other tech executives, Benioff has shown support for President Donald Trump during his second term. (Benioff was also complimentary of Trump at times during his first go-round.)

While catering to the current administration has become the norm among the tech elite, Benioff's change is especially striking considering his history of backing progressive causes.

In late 2019, Politico dubbed Benioff "Tech's woke CEO" as he pushed for more taxes in his industry and called for changes to capitalism. More recently, he asked Trump to send National Guard troops to San Francisco. (He later apologized.)

Political shifts can be complicated for employees who might have joined expecting a specific type of culture. And trying to play both sides of the fence can often muddy the waters.

Other companies are taking an unapologetic approach. Take Palantir's Alex Karp, who has vigorously defended his company's work with the military and dubbed it "completely anti-woke."

Ultimately, tech workers might not have many options even if they feel their beliefs don't align with their company. A brutal job market and the threat of AI on engineering jobs mean many will have to stay put.